Building a Pea Trellis

Fresh garden peas are delicious right from the pod, making them a favorite vegetable for kids. Growing peas in your home garden is a great way to involve youngsters in gardening. Although dwarf varieties do not need stakes or trellises, if you intend to grow taller varieties of peas, a trellis is a must. Fortunately a simple pea trellis is easy to make.

Things You'll Need

• 2 8-foot 2x4s
• 1 6-foot 2x4
• Saw
• Sledge hammer
• 4 3-inch nails
• 35 to 40 1 1/2-inch flat-head roofing nails
• Hammer
• Ball garden twine

Instructions

1. Saw the bottom of each of the two 8-foot 2x4s on a 45-degree angle so each bottom forms a point. Place one of the angled 2x4s at the beginning of the row and hammer it into the ground to a depth of 2 feet. Repeat with the other angled board 6 feet down the row. Place the remaining 2x4 across the tops of the support boards. Check that it is level. Nail the board in place with two 3-inch nails on each end.

2. Nail 1½-inch roofing nails along the sides of the support boards, spaced 6 inches apart. Leave ¼ to ½ inch of the head sticking out to attach strings for the trellis. Repeat the process on the top 2x4.

3. String the trellis by tying twine to the bottom nail and running it straight across to the corresponding nail on the opposite support board. Twist the string around the head of the nail and pull taut. Run the string up to the next nail, twist and run the string back to the opposite support board. Repeat the process up the boards until you have strung the twine around all nails and have created horizontal lines. Pull taut and tie off.

4. Create the vertical strings by tying the twine to the first nail on the top 2x4 and running it straight down to the the bottom horizontal line. Tie securely and cut the twine. Repeat the process as you work your way across the trellis.

Tips & Warnings

• Build larger or smaller trellises following the same procedure.